Adjustable Wristband and Method for Resizing

ABSTRACT

There is provided a wristband of a wearable device comprising a link, a first arm, a second arm, and an axle assembly supported by the link. The link includes a first side and a second side located substantially opposite the first side, and the link has a transverse axis extending through the first and second sides. The first arm is positioned near a portion of the first side of the link, and the transverse axis extends through the portion of the first side. The second arm is positioned at a portion of the second side of the link, and the transverse axis extends through the portion of the second side. The axle assembly is coupled to the first and second arms. The axle assembly permits the first arm to adjust along the transverse axis relative to the first side of the link while maintaining the second arm adjacent to the second side of the link, and the axle assembly permits the first arm to rotate about the transverse axis relative to the second arm.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of wristbands for wearable devices and, more particularly, wristbands having links that may be removed from, or added to, a series of wristband links.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wearable device, such as a watch, may incorporate a metal band to support the main components of the device against a user's wrist. Since wrist sizes of users vary, the metal band is preferably adjustable. For that reasons, a metal band may include a plurality of links which may be removed or added to adjust the band length. For this type of metal band, the wearable device requires a specialized tool to remove or add links when adjusting the band length. Many users must take the wearable device to a jeweler or watch shop to resize the band from the default size, as originally sold or otherwise provided, to a band length more suitable to the user's wrist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a wearable device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wristband in accordance with the present invention, in which the wristband includes a plurality of links.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, in which a particular link of the plurality of links has a first portion offset from a second portion.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3, in which the first portion of the link is rotated relative to the second portion of the link.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4, in which two parts of the wristband are separate from each other.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of multiple links of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 through 5, illustrating an example of the interconnection between links.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

There is described a wristband of a wearable device, and method thereof, comprising removable side links to allow a user to easily remove links with a lateral movement. With this type of solution, there is minimal load place on the band in the direction of the release mechanism. In addition, it allows for a clean link design that does not have exposed holes as is typical with traditional removable pins.

One aspect is a wristband of a wearable device comprising a link, a first arm, a second arm, and an axle assembly supported by the link. The link includes a first side and a second side located substantially opposite the first side, and the link has a transverse axis extending through the first and second sides. The first arm is positioned near a portion of the first side of the link, and the transverse axis extends through the portion of the first side. The second arm is positioned at a portion of the second side of the link, and the transverse axis extends through the portion of the second side. The axle assembly is coupled to the first and second arms. The axle assembly permits the first arm to adjust along the transverse axis relative to the first side of the link while maintaining the second arm adjacent to the second side of the link. The axle assembly also permits the first arm to rotate about the transverse axis relative to the second arm.

Another aspect is a wristband having a plurality of links. The wristband comprises a first link, a second link, and an axle assembly. The first link of the plurality of links includes a first side and a second side located substantially opposite the first side, a first protrusion extending from the first side of the first link, and a second protrusion extending from the second side of the first link. The second link of the plurality of links includes a first side and a second side located substantially opposite the first side, the second link having a transverse axis extending through the first and second sides, a first arm positioned at the first side of the second link, a second arm positioned at the second side of the second link. The axle assembly of the second link is coupled to the first and second arms. The axle assembly permits the first arm of the second link to adjust along the transverse axis relative to the first side of the second link while maintaining the second arm adjacent to the second side of the second link. The axle assembly also permits the first arm of the second link to rotate about the transverse axis relative to the second arm of the second link.

Yet another aspect is a method for adjusting a wristband of a wearable device. The first arm of the second link is adjusted along the transverse axis relative to a base of the second link while maintaining the second arm adjacent to the base of the second link. The first arm of the second link rotates about the transverse axis relative to the second arm of the second link. The second protrusion of the first link moves relative to the second arm of the second link. To disengage links, the first arm is adjusted away from the base, the first arm is rotated away from the first protrusion, and the second protrusion is withdrawn from the second arm. To engage links, the second protrusion is inserted to the second arm, the first arm is rotated to the first protrusion, and the first arm moved to the base.

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described presently preferred embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. One skilled in the art will hopefully appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements with the intent to help improve understanding of the aspects of the embodiments being illustrated and described.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a perspective view of an example of a wearable device 100. The wearable device 100 includes a base mechanism 110 and a wristband 120. The base mechanism has a housing 130, a front surface 140 which includes a visible display and a user interface. For example, the user interface may be a touch screen including a touch-sensitive surface that overlays the display. For another embodiment, the user interface or touch screen of the wearable device 100 may include a touch-sensitive surface supported by the housing 120 that does not overlay any type of display. For yet another embodiment, the user interface of the wearable device 100 may include one or more input keys 150. Examples of the input key or keys 150 include, but are not limited to, keys of an alpha or numeric keypad or keyboard, a physical keys, touch-sensitive surfaces, mechanical surfaces, multipoint directional keys and side buttons or keys 150. The wearable device 100 may also comprise apertures for audio output and input. It is to be understood that the wearable device 100 may include a variety of different combination of displays and interfaces.

As stated above, the wearable device 100 includes a wristband 120. The wristband 120 supports the base mechanism 110 adjacent, or in proximity, to a user's appendage. For example, the wristband 120 shown in FIG. 1 provides an adjustable locking assembly 160 to allow the wristband to provide a larger diameter to facilitate insertion or removal of the user's appendage to and from the wristband. The wristband 120 also includes a plurality of links interconnected in series to provide a rigid, yet flexible, structure to secure the base mechanism 110 to the user's appendage.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of a wristband 200 in accordance with the present invention, in which the wristband includes a plurality of links. For this embodiment, the wristband 200 includes a locking mechanism 210 and a plurality of links 220, 230. Each link includes a first side and a second side located substantially opposite the first side. Each link includes a first arm 240, 250 is positioned near a portion of the first side of the respective link, and a second arm 260, 270 positioned at a portion of the second side of the respective link. For some embodiments, the first arm 240, 250 and the second arm 260, 270 may be positioned offset from its respective link 220, 230. For example, in FIG. 1, the arms have the appearance of being positioned to the sides of adjacent links.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of a wristband 300, in which a particular link 220 of the plurality of links has a first arm 240 adjusted or moved outward from the remainder of the wristband 300 to the first side of the link, while maintaining the second arm 260 adjacent to the second side of the link. In doing so, a part of a shaft 310 of the link 220, which is coupled to the first arm 240, is exposed, and a protrusion 320 of an adjacent link is also exposed. The protrusion 320 is exposed, because the first arm 240 has been adjusted outward and is no longer covering, or coupled to, the protrusion.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wristband 400, in which the first arm 240 of the link 220 is rotated relative to the second arm 260 of the link. The shaft 310, which is part of an axle assembly, permits the first arm 240 to rotate about a transverse axis relative to the second arm 260. Thus, the first arm 240 moves away from the protrusion 320.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wristband 500, in which the two parts of the wristband are separated from each other. In particular, now that the first arm 240 has moved away from the protrusion 320, the opposite side of the second link 510 is able to move away from the second arm 260 of the first link 220. For example, the second link 510 is able to move transversely 520 to disconnect from the first link 220 and, then, move in a perpendicular direction 530 to separate the two parts. In doing so, a second protrusion 540 located at an opposite side to the first protrusion 320 can be removed or withdrawn from a receiving bore 550 of the second arm 260 of the first link 220.

It is to be understood that FIGS. 2 through 5 represent disengagement and engagement of wristband links. For disengagement of links, the sequence of the figures to be followed would be FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5. For engagement of links, the sequence of the figures to be followed would be FIGS. 5, 4, 3, and 2.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a sectional view of multiple links of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 through 5, illustrating an example of the interconnection between links. The wristband of the wearable device comprises a plurality of links, including a first link 601 and a second link 603. The first link 601 of the plurality of links includes a first link body 605 having a first side 607 and a second side 609 located substantially opposite the first side. Likewise, the second link 603 of the plurality of links includes a second link body 611 having a first side 613 and a second side 615 located substantially opposite the first side.

Each of the links 601, 603 of the plurality links include elements in addition to their respective link bodies 605, 611. For the first link 601, a first protrusion 617 extends from the first side 613 of the first link, and a second protrusion 619 extends from the second side 615 of the first link. The first protrusion 617 and the second protrusion 619 extend substantially parallel to the transverse axis 621. For the second link 603, the second link has a transverse axis 621 extending through the first and second sides 613, 615. The transverse axis 621 is substantially directed orthogonal to the general coupling path 623 of the plurality of links. The second link 603 also has a first arm 625 positioned at the first side 613 of the second link, and a second arm 627 positioned at the second side 615 of the second link. Similarly, the first link 601 has a first arm 629 positioned at the first side 607 of the first link, and a second arm 631 positioned at the second side 609 of the first link. It should be noted that the first arm 625 and the second arm 627 are positioned offset from other elements of the second link 603, such as the second link body 611.

Many links of the plurality of links include an axle assembly, such as the axle assembly 629 of the second link 603. The axle assembly 629 is coupled to the first and second arms 625, 627. The axle assembly 629 permits the first arm 625 of the second link 603 to adjust along the transverse axis 621 relative to the first side 613 of the second link while maintaining the second arm 627 adjacent to the second side 615 of the second link (also represented by FIG. 3). The axle assembly 629 also permits the first arm 625 of the second link 603 to rotate about the transverse axis 621 relative to the second arm 627 of the second link (also represented by FIG. 4).

The axle assembly 629 may include various components to enable adjustment along, and rotation about, the transverse axis 621. For example, the axle assembly includes a first shaft 631, 633 supported by the second link 603. The first shaft 631, 633 is concentric about the transverse axis 621 of the second link 603, and the first shaft is coupled to the first arm 625. Also, for example, the axle assembly 629 includes a second shaft 635 supported by the second link 603. The second shaft 635 is concentric about the transverse axis 621 of the second link 603, and the second shaft is coupled to the second arm 627.

The operation of the axle assembly 629 may support adjustment along, and rotation about, the transverse axis 621. The first shaft 631, 633 of the axle assembly 629 is capable of adjusting along the transverse axis 621 relative to the first side 613 of the second link 603 while maintaining the second shaft 635 of the axle assembly non-adjustable along the transverse axis relative to the second side 615 of the second link. A distance between the first and second shafts 631, 633, 635, along the transverse axis 621, varies as the first shaft adjusts along the transverse axis relative to the first side 613 of the second link 603. In addition, the first shaft 631, 633 of the axle assembly 629 is capable of permitting the first arm 625 to rotate about the transverse axis 621 relative to the second arm 627 of the axle assembly. The first and second shafts 631, 633, 635 remain adjacent to each other as the first arm 625 rotates about the transverse axis 621 relative to the second arm 627 of the axle assembly 629. The axle assembly 629 further includes a biased mechanism 637 to maintain the first arm 625 adjacent to the first side 613 of the second link 603 unless a force directing, for example, withdrawing, the first arm away from the first side is applied to the first arm.

The first arm 625 includes an inner bore 639 having dimensions similar to the dimensions of an outer surface of the first protrusion 617. Likewise, the second arm 627 includes an inner bore 641 having dimensions similar to the dimensions of an outer surface of the second protrusion 619.

The first link 601 and the second link 603 may be disengaged from each other (also represented by FIG. 5), after the first arm 625 of the second link adjusts along the transverse axis 621 away from the first side 613 of the second link and the first arm rotates about the transverse axis away from the first protrusion 617 of the first link. The first link 601 and the second link 603 may be engaged to each other (also represented by FIG. 5), after the first arm 625 of the second link rotates about the transverse axis 621 to the first protrusion 617 of the first link and the first arm adjusts along the transverse axis to the first side 613 of the second link.

The plurality of links, including the first link 601 and the second link 603, may include a special link 643 for attachment to an end portion 645 of the base mechanism 110 of the wearable device 100.

In the specification herein, specific embodiments are described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth herein. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

For the descriptions herein, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wristband of a wearable device comprising: a link including a first side and a second side located substantially opposite the first side, the link having an transverse axis extending through the first and second sides; a first arm positioned near a portion of the first side of the link, the transverse axis extending through the portion of the first side; a second arm positioned at a portion of the second side of the link, the transverse axis extending through the portion of the second side; and an axle assembly supported by the link and coupled to the first and second arms, the axle assembly permitting the first arm to adjust along the transverse axis relative to the first side of the link while maintaining the second arm adjacent to the second side of the link, the axle assembly permitting the first arm to rotate about the transverse axis relative to the second arm.
 2. The wristband of claim 1, further comprising: a first protrusion extending from the first side of the link, the first protrusion extending substantially parallel to the transverse axis; and a second protrusion extending from the second side of the link, the second protrusion extending substantially parallel to the transverse axis, the second protrusion located substantially opposite the first protrusion relative to the link.
 3. The wristband of claim 2, wherein: the first arm includes an inner bore having dimensions similar to the dimensions of an outer surface of the first protrusion; and the second arm includes an inner bore having dimensions similar to the dimensions of an outer surface of the second protrusion.
 4. The wristband of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm are positioned offset from the link.
 5. The wristband of claim 1, wherein the axle assembly comprises: a first shaft supported by the link, the first shaft being concentric about the transverse axis of the link, the first shaft being coupled to the first arm; and a second shaft supported by the link, the second shaft being concentric about the transverse axis of the link, the second shaft being coupled to the second arm.
 6. The wristband of claim 5, wherein the first shaft of the axle assembly is capable of adjusting along the transverse axis relative to the first side of the link while maintaining the second shaft of the axle assembly non-adjustable along the transverse axis relative to the second side of the link.
 7. The wristband of claim 6, wherein a distance between the first and second shafts, along the transverse axis, varies as the first shaft adjusts along the transverse axis relative to the first side of the link.
 8. The wristband of claim 5, wherein the first shaft of the axle assembly is capable of permitting the first arm to rotate about the transverse axis relative to the second arm of the axle assembly.
 9. The wristband of claim 8, wherein the first and second shafts remain adjacent to each other as the first arm rotates about the transverse axis relative to the second arm of the axle assembly
 10. The wristband of claim 1, wherein the axle assembly includes a biased mechanism to maintain the first arm adjacent to the first side of the link unless a force directed away from the first side is applied to the first arm.
 11. A wristband of a wearable device comprising: a first link of a plurality of links including a first side and a second side located substantially opposite the first side, a first protrusion extending from the first side of the first link, and a second protrusion extending from the second side of the first link; and a second link of the plurality of links including a first side and a second side located substantially opposite the first side, the second link having a transverse axis extending through the first and second sides, a first arm positioned at the first side of the second link, a second arm positioned at the second side of the second link; and an axle assembly of the second link coupled to the first and second arms, the axle assembly permitting the first arm of the second link to adjust along the transverse axis relative to the first side of the second link while maintaining the second arm adjacent to the second side of the second link, and the axle assembly permitting the first arm of the second link to rotate about the transverse axis relative to the second arm of the second link.
 12. The wristband of claim 11, wherein the first link and the second link may be disengaged from each other, after the first arm of the second link adjusts along the transverse axis away from the first side of the second link and the first arm rotates about the transverse axis away from the first protrusion of the first link.
 13. The wristband of claim 11, wherein the first link and the second link may be engaged to each other, after the first arm of the second link rotates about the transverse axis to the first protrusion of the first link and the first arm adjusts along the transverse axis to the first side of the second link.
 14. The wristband of claim 11, wherein the axle assembly comprises: a first shaft supported by the second link, the first shaft being concentric about the transverse axis of the second link, the first shaft being coupled to the first arm; and a second shaft supported by the second link, the second shaft being concentric about the transverse axis of the second link, the second shaft being coupled to the second arm.
 15. A method for adjusting a wristband of a wearable device, the wristband including a first link having first and second protrusions, a second link having first and second arms, a transverse axis extending through the second link, and an axle assembly concentric with the transverse axis, the method comprising: adjusting the first arm of the second link along the transverse axis relative to a base of the second link while maintaining the second arm adjacent to the base of the second link; rotating the first arm of the second link about the transverse axis relative to the second arm of the second link; and moving the second protrusion of the first link relative to the second arm of the second link.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein: adjusting the first arm of the second link along the transverse axis relative to a base of the second link includes adjusting the first arm away from the base; rotating the first arm of the second link about the transverse axis relative to the second arm of the second link includes rotating the first arm of the second link away from the first protrusion of the first link; and moving the second protrusion of the first link relative to the second arm of the second link includes withdrawing the second protrusion of the first link from the second arm of the second link.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein: moving the second protrusion of the first link relative to the second arm of the second link includes inserting the second protrusion of the first link to the second arm of the second link; rotating the first arm of the second link about the transverse axis relative to the second arm of the second link includes rotating the first arm of the second link to the first protrusion of the first link; and adjusting the first arm of the second link along the transverse axis relative to a base of the second link includes adjusting the first arm to the base. 